Suppressor with Coaxial Expansion Chambers and Tapered Seals

ABSTRACT

A firearm suppressor for dissipating the energy of discharge gases expelled by a discharge of a firearm has at least a first baffle and a second baffle, each baffle having a circumferential outer wall for enclosing an expansion chamber. The outer wall has a circumferential forward tapered surface and a circumferential rearward tapered surface, a taper angle of the forward tapered surface being equal to a taper angle of the rearward tapered surface. The baffles are assembled together in a coaxial baffle stack with the first baffle forward of the second baffle, the forward tapered surface of the second baffle engaging the rearward tapered surface of the first baffle for forming a tapered seal between the outer walls of the baffles, thereby limiting flow of firearm discharge gases from within the baffle stack through the tapered seal.

BACKGROUND

Firearm suppressors are used to reduce, or muffle, the external soundsignature by dissipating the energy of the gases produced in a firearmdischarge. A typical suppressor has multiple internal baffles fordirecting high-velocity gases into expansion chambers of the suppressorand/or retaining the gases within the chambers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an oblique view of a firearm suppressor according to thisdisclosure.

FIG. 2 is an oblique exploded view of the suppressor of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 3 and 4 are oblique views of a baffle of the suppressor of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a cross-section view of the baffle of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a cross-section side view of the suppressor of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross-section side view of a portion of thesuppressor of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged cross-section side view of a rear portion of thesuppressor of FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged cross-section side view of a front portion of thesuppressor of FIG. 1.

FIG. 10 is a cross-section side view of an alternative embodiment of asuppressor according to this disclosure.

FIG. 11 is an enlarged cross-section side view of a portion of thesuppressor of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a cross-section side view of another alternative embodimentof a suppressor according to this disclosure.

FIG. 13 is an enlarged cross-section side view of a portion of thesuppressor of FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a cross-section side view of another alternative embodimentof a suppressor according to this disclosure.

FIG. 15 is an enlarged cross-section side view of a portion of thesuppressor of FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 is a cross-section side view of another alternative embodimentof a suppressor according to this disclosure.

FIG. 17 is an enlarged cross-section side view of a portion of thesuppressor of FIG. 16.

FIG. 18 is a cross-section side view of another alternative embodimentof a suppressor according to this disclosure.

FIG. 19 is an enlarged cross-section side view of a portion of thesuppressor of FIG. 18.

FIG. 20 is an enlarged cross-section side view of another alternativeembodiment of a portion of a suppressor according to this disclosure.

FIG. 21 is a cross-section side view of an assembly of two suppressorbaffles according to this disclosure.

FIG. 22 is a cross-section side view of an alternative embodiment of anassembly of two suppressor baffles according to this disclosure.

FIG. 23 is a cross-section side view of another alternative embodimentof an assembly of two suppressor baffles according to this disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the specification, reference may be made to the spatial relationshipsbetween various components and to the spatial orientation of variousaspects of components as the devices are depicted in the attacheddrawings. However, as will be recognized by those skilled in the artafter a complete reading of this disclosure, the devices, members,apparatuses, etc. described herein may be positioned in any desiredorientation. Thus, the use of terms such as “above,” “below,” “upper,”“lower,” “forward,” “rearward,” or other like terms to describe aspatial relationship between various components or to describe thespatial orientation of aspects of such components should be understoodto describe a relative relationship between the components or a spatialorientation of aspects of such components, respectively, as the devicedescribed herein may be oriented in any desired direction.

This disclosure describes an improved firearm suppressor having coaxialexpansion chambers and tapered seals between adjacent baffles. Baffleswithin a suppressor tube are assembled into a coaxial “stack” and have ashape for cooperating to form central expansion chambers and coaxialexpansion chambers. Also, a circumferential forward tapered surface anda circumferential rearward tapered surface are each formed on an outerwall of each baffle, the tapered surfaces of adjacent baffles engagingto form a tapered seal for preventing or limiting the flow of firearmdischarge gases, and entrained particulates, from within the bafflestack through the tapered seal. In addition, the tapered seal providesfor increasing sealing force as adjacent baffles are compressed togetherwithin the stack. Circumferential tapered surfaces are also preferablyformed on each end cap of the suppressor for engaging the correspondingtapered surfaces of baffles adjacent the caps, thereby forming a taperedseal.

FIGS. 1 through 9 illustrate a preferred embodiment of a firearmsuppressor 11 according to this disclosure, suppressor 11 having centralexpansion chambers, coaxial expansion chambers, and tapered sealsbetween adjacent baffles.

Suppressor 11 is shown assembled In FIG. 1 and in an exploded view inFIG. 2. Suppressor 11 comprises a tube 13, front end cap 15, rear endcap 17, and multiple baffles 19 assembled together to form a coaxialbaffle stack 21. Tube 13 is shown as having a generally cylindrical,hollow, tubular form, though tube 13 may have another configuration inalternative embodiments. Tube 13 has an inner surface 23 and cylindricalends 25, 27, each end 25, 27 having internal threads 29. Cylindrical endcaps 15, 17 have corresponding external threads 31, allowing for endcaps 15, 17 to be assembled with tube 13. For a tube 13 having a shapeother than cylindrical, alternative methods for retaining end caps 25,27 will be used. Front end cap 15 has a bore 33 and read end cap 17 hasa bore 35, bores 33, 35 being aligned with the muzzle of a firearm whensuppressor 11 is installed thereon, allowing for a projectile fired fromthe firearm to pass through bore 35, baffle stack 21, and bore 33. Rearend cap 17 is preferably configured to engage the barrel of a firearm ora mounting device attached to the firearm, thereby coupling suppressor11 to the firearm.

FIGS. 3 and 4 are enlarged oblique views of a baffle 19, and FIG. 5shows a cross-section of baffle 19 taken along plane 5-5 of FIG. 4.Baffle 19 is preferably formed from metal and preferably as a unitarystructure. As visible in FIG. 5, baffle 19 is a modified M-style baffleand comprises an outer wall 37, a central cone 39, and a chamber wall41. In the embodiment shown, baffle 19 is cylindrical, though baffle 19(or particular features thereof) may be formed to have another shape inalternative embodiments, such as those in which tube 13 has anon-cylindrical shape. Features will be described as circumferential fora cylindrical embodiment, though similar features for non-cylindricalembodiments should be understood to be on or near the periphery.

Outer wall 37 is a thin circumferential wall that extends rearward fromchamber wall 41 and terminates in a tapered surface 43 at the rearwardend of wall 37. In the preferred embodiment, the angle of taperedsurface 43 is 30 degrees and is measured from outer surface 45 of wall37. Inner surface 47 of wall 37 is spaced from cone 39 for forming anexpansion chamber, discussed below, between inner surface 47 and cone39. In this and other embodiments, particular values for angles offeatures may be shown or described, though it should be noted that othervalues of angles may be used. For example, tapered surface 43 is shownand described as having a 30-degree taper angle, though other values inthe range of 0<θ<90 may be used.

Cone 39 extends rearward generally from a forward end of outer wall 37and is formed to have a shape approximating a thin-wall frustum. A bore49 is located at a rearward portion of cone 39 and is sized to allow aprojectile to pass through bore 49 when fired from an attached firearm.Bore 49 is preferably sized to provide the minimum required clearancefor allowing a projectile of selected maximum size to pass through,while preventing contact of the projectile with bore 39. An innersurface 51 extends from bore 49 to chamber wall 41, whereas an outersurface of cone 39 is divided into rearward outer surface 53 and forwardouter surface 55. In the preferred embodiment, a 90-degreecircumferential shoulder 57 is formed between surfaces 53 and 55 on theoutside of cone 39, shoulder 57 having an outward-facing surface 59 anda rearward-facing surface 61. A gas port 63 is formed in a forwardportion of cone 39, the port extending through cone 39 between forwardouter surface 55 and inner surface 51. As shown, an optional gas passage65 in the rear portion of cone 39 intersects bore 49.

In this embodiment, chamber wall 41 extends forward and inward at a45-degree angle generally from the intersection of outer wall 37 andcone 39. Wall 41 is formed as a thin-wall frustum and terminates with a90-degree shoulder 67 formed by forward-facing surface 69 andinward-facing surface 71. A gas port 73 extends through wall 41 betweenan inner surface 75 and an outer surface 77, and port 73 is preferablylocated on the opposite side of bore 49 to port 63 of cone 39. In analternative embodiment, gas port 73 intersects and interrupts shoulder67, allowing for a protrusion, flat, or other feature on an adjacentbaffle 19 to engage a portion of port 73 for rotational alignment ofbaffles 19 in baffle stack 21. A circumferential tapered shoulder 79 isformed generally at the intersection of outer wall 37 and chamber wall41. Shoulder 79 has an outward-facing surface 81 and a 30-degree taperedsurface 83 (150 degrees from surface 81), such that tapered surface 83is recessed rearward from outer surface 77 of chamber wall 41 at theforward end of outer wall 37.

FIG. 6 is a cross-section side view of assembled suppressor 11, withbaffles 19 arranged in baffle stack 21 within tube 13. Front end cap 15is installed in forward end 25 of tube 13, and rear end cap 17 isinstalled in rear end of tube 13. Caps 15, 17 move toward each other asthey are threaded into tube 13, and this causes caps 15, 17 to compressbaffles 19 together in stack 21. Adjacent baffles 19 are in contact witheach other at selected mating surfaces to form baffle seals, the sealsdefining chambers within suppressor 11.

Referring also to FIGS. 6 through 9, outer baffle seal 85 is acircumferential, tapered seal formed from the mating of tapered surface43 of a first baffle 19 to tapered shoulder 79 of an adjacent secondbaffle 19 to the rear of first baffle 19. Tapered surface 43 of firstbaffle 19 mates with tapered surface 83 of second baffle 19, and innersurface 47 of first baffle is located near outward-facing surface 81 ofsecond baffle 19. Outer baffle seal 85 provides a positive sealingarrangement for preventing or limiting gases and particulates withinbaffle stack 21 from escaping through outer baffle seal 85. Outer baffleseal 85 also has the advantage of providing for increasing sealing forceas baffle stack is compressed by end caps 15, 17, in which taperedsurface 43 and tapered surface 83 engage with greater force as caps 15,17 are moved toward each other.

Eliminating or minimizing passage of discharge gases and entrainedparticulates through outer baffle seal 85 prevents fouling and carbonbuildup on outer surface 45 of baffle 19 and on inner surface 23 of tube13. In previous suppressor designs, fouling and carbon buildup canprevent easy removal of the baffle stack from within the suppressor tubeand may require tools, such as a hammer, and application of significantforce to dislodge and remove the baffles. In suppressor 11, the enhancedtapered seal of outer baffle seal 85 prevents fouling and carbonbuildup, allowing for easy removal of baffles 19 from within tube 13.

In the preferred embodiment, inner baffle interface 87 is acircumferential, non-tapered arrangement formed from the positioning ofshoulder 57 of the first baffle 19 close to shoulder 67 of the adjacentsecond baffle 19 to the rear of first baffle 19. Rearward-facing surface61 of first baffle 19 lies near forward-facing surface 69 of secondbaffle 19, and outward-facing surface 59 of first baffle 19 lies nearinward-facing surface 71 of second baffle. Inner baffle interface 87provides two narrow annular spaces for limiting gases and particulatesfrom moving through inner baffle interface 87.

Referring specifically to FIG. 8, the rear portion of suppressor 11 isshown in side cross-section with rear end cap 17 installed in end 27.Threads 31 of cap 17 engage threads 29 of tube 13 for retaining cap 17in tube 13. Threads 31 are formed on a cylindrical wall 89, whichextends forward from adapter section 91. To seal cap 17 to rearmostbaffle 19, a 30-degree tapered surface 93 is formed on the forward endof wall 89, and the taper angle is measured from inner surface 95 ofwall 89. This orientation allows tapered surface 93 of cap 17 to mateagainst tapered surface 43 of rearmost baffle 19, creating a taperedseal 97. Seal 97 prevents gases and particulates from escaping throughseal 97 and causing fouling and carbon buildup in threads 29, 31.

Referring specifically to FIG. 9, the front portion of suppressor 11 isshown in side cross-section with front end cap 15 installed in end 25.Threads 31 of cap 15 engage threads 29 of tube 13 for retaining cap 15in tube 13. Threads 31 are formed on a cylindrical wall 99, whichextends rearward from end section 101. In addition, a diverter cone 103extends rearward from end section 101, bore 33 extending throughdiverter 103. To seal cap 15 to front baffle 19, a 45-degree taperedsurface 105 is formed on the rearward end of wall 99, and the taperedangle is measured from the outer surface of wall 99. This orientationallows tapered surface 105 of cap 15 to mate against outer surface 77 ofchamber wall 41 of front baffle 19, creating a tapered seal 107. Seal107 prevents or limits gases and particulates from escaping through seal107 and causing fouling and carbon buildup in threads 29, 31.

Referring again to FIGS. 5 through 9, caps 15, 17 and baffles 19cooperate to form expansion chambers within suppressor 11, the chambersredirecting, slowing, and/or trapping gases and particulates that entersuppressor through bore 35 of rear cap 17. A first chamber 109 isdefined by outer wall 89 of cap 17 and outer surfaces 53, 55 of cone 39of rearmost baffle 19. Gases 111, indicated by arrows, enter chamber109, and a portion of gases 111 is diverted around cone 39 and slowed,but the diverted gases can then exit chamber 109 through port 63 andpass into the adjacent central chamber 113.

Between each pair of baffles 19, a central chamber 113 is defined byinner surface 51 of cone 39 of the rearward baffle 19, inner surface 75of chamber wall 41 of the rearward baffle 19, and outer surface 53 ofcone 39 of the forward baffle 19. A portion of gases 111 entering eachchamber 113 is diverted around cone 39 and enters a coaxial chamber 115through port 73. Each coaxial chamber 115 is defined by outer surface 77of chamber wall 41 of the rearward baffle 19, inner surface 41 of outerwall 37 of forward baffle 19, and outer surface 55 of cone 39 of forwardbaffle 19. The portion of gases 111 diverted into each coaxial chamber115 flows around chamber 115 to port 63 and exits into the next centralchamber 113.

Gases that continue to the forward portion of suppressor 11 entercentral chamber 113 between front baffle 19 and front end cap 15.However, unlike interface 87 between adjacent baffles 19, diverter cone103 has a smaller diameter than that of inward-facing surface 71 ofchamber wall 41, and this allows a portion of gases to flow into aforward chamber 117, the gases flowing between chamber wall 41 and cone103 and through port 73.

With the number of chambers 113, 115, 117 along the length of suppressor11, and with turbulence induced from the flow of gases through ports 63,73 and around chambers 115, a significant portion of gases 111 aretrapped and slowed, dissipating momentum and thermal energy withinsuppressor 11 before the gases exit bore 33 of front end cap 17. Theperformance of suppressor 11 can be modified by changing the numbers ofbaffles 19, the sizes and number of ports 63, 73, and the sizes ofchambers 113, 115, 117.

FIGS. 10 through 20 illustrate alternative embodiments of bafflesforming tapered seals in a suppressor and according to this disclosure.The suppressors in these embodiments have a configuration similar tothat of suppressor 11 and operate in the same manner. The only changesof note are the tapered seal configurations between adjacent baffles andbetween baffles and end caps, and the discussion will be limited tothese alternatives while incorporating the above discussion forsuppressor 11.

FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate a suppressor 119 having baffles 121 that forma non-recessed, tapered outer baffle seal 122 when assembled together. Asimilar seal 123 is formed between rear baffle 121 and the rear end cap,and a tapered seal 124 is formed with front baffle 121 and the front endcap. Rather than a recessed tapered seal, as with seal 85 of suppressor11, seal 122 is formed by a tapered surface 125 mating with outersurface 127 of the chamber wall of baffle 121. Seal 122 provides foronly one mating interface.

FIGS. 12 and 13 illustrate a suppressor 129 having baffles 131 that forma recessed, tapered outer baffle seal 132 when assembled together. Asimilar seal 133 is formed between rear baffle 131 and the rear end cap,and a tapered seal 134 is formed with front baffle 131 and the front endcap. Seal 132 is an inverted version of seal 85 of suppressor 11, inthat an outer wall 135 extends forward from chamber wall 137 of eachbaffle and terminates in a tapered surface 139. A recessed shoulder 141is formed by outward-facing surface 143 and a tapered surface 145. Seal132 is formed by tapered surface 139 mating with tapered surface 145,with outward-facing surface 143 being near inner surface 146 of outerwall 135. In this configuration, adjacent baffles 131 form coaxialchambers 147 between forward-extending outer wall 135 of rearward baffle131, cone section 148 of forward baffle 131, and chamber wall 137 ofrearward baffle 131.

FIGS. 14 and 15 illustrate a suppressor 149 having baffles 151 that forma recessed, tapered outer baffle seal 152 when assembled together. Asimilar seal 153 is formed between rear baffle 151 and the rear end cap,and a tapered seal 154 is formed with front baffle 151 and the front endcap. Seal 152 is a recessed tapered seal much like seal 85 of suppressor11, but seal 152 has a reversed taper angle. Outer wall 155 has atapered surface 157 on its rearward end, the taper angle being measuredfrom inner surface 159. A recessed shoulder 161 is formed byoutward-facing surface 163 and a tapered surface 165. Seal 152 has isformed by tapered surface 157 mating with tapered surface 165,outward-facing surface 163 being near inner surface 159 of outer wall155.

FIGS. 16 and 17 illustrate a suppressor 167 having baffles 169 that forma non-recessed, tapered outer baffle seal 170 when assembled together. Asimilar seal 171 is formed between rear baffle 169 and the rear end cap,and a tapered seal 172 is formed with front baffle 169 and the front endcap. Unlike seal 152 of suppressor 149, seals 170, 171 are not recessed.A tapered surface 173 extends forward of chamber wall 175 of baffle 169,and a tapered surface 177 on the rearward end of outer wall 179 mateswith tapered surface 173, forming seal 170. Seal 170 provides for onlyone mating interface.

FIGS. 18 and 19 illustrate a suppressor 181 having baffles 183 that forma non-recessed, double-tapered outer baffle seal 184 when assembledtogether. A similar seal 185 is formed between rear baffle 183 and therear end cap, and a tapered seal 186 is formed with front baffle 183 andthe front end cap. Rather than a single pair of tapered surfaces mating,outer wall 187 extends rearward and terminates with an inner taperedsurface 189 and an outer tapered surface 191. A corresponding pair oftapered surfaces are formed on chamber wall 193, with an inner taperedsurface 195 and an outer tapered surface 197. The configuration of seal184 provides for two mating interfaces between inner surfaces 189 and195 and between outer surfaces 191 and 197.

FIG. 20 illustrates an alternative version of an inner baffle interface.Interface 199 is a tapered inner baffle interface, unlike thesquare-shoulder configuration of interface 87 of suppressor 11. Baffles201 have a chamber wall 203 that terminates in a tapered surface 205,and a tapered surface 207 is located on cone section 209. Taperedsurfaces 205, 207 are to position them as close to each other aspossible and not prevent the outer walls from forming an outer baffleseal.

FIGS. 21 through 23 illustrate alternative embodiments of baffles havingvarious modifications from baffles described above. The baffles of theseembodiments are configured similarly to baffles described above, and thebaffles are configured for use in a suppressor similar to suppressor 11and to operate in the same manner. The discussion will be limited tothese modifications while incorporating the above description.

FIG. 21 illustrates two baffles 211 assembled into a stack. Like bafflesdescribed above, each baffle 211 has an outer wall 213, a central cone215, and a chamber wall 217. Chamber wall 217 extends forward and inwardfrom the forward end of outer wall 213 to form a frustum. However,chamber wall 217 differs from those described above by the addition ofextension wall 219, which is an annular ring extending forward from theinner portion of chamber wall 217. Instead of the inner portion ofchamber wall 217 mating with cone 215 of the forward adjacent baffle211, the forward end of extension wall 219 mates with cone 215 in thesame manner as described above for baffle 19. The addition of extensionwall 219 increases the distance between cone 215 of forward baffle 211and chamber wall 217 of rearward baffle 211, thereby increasing thevolume of coaxial expansion chamber 221.

FIG. 22 illustrates two baffles 223 assembled into a stack. Like bafflesdescribed above, each baffle 223 has an outer wall 225, a central cone227, and a chamber wall 229. Outer wall 225 of each baffle 223 has aforward tapered surface 231 and a rearward tapered surface 233, thetaper angles of surfaces 231, 233 being equal to allow for surfaces 231,233 to mate when baffles 223 are assembled, thereby forming a taperedseal 235 between outer walls 225 of adjacent baffles 223. To retainbaffles 223 together in a stack, outer wall 225 of each baffle 223 hasinternal threads 237 formed on a rearward portion of outer wall 225 andexternal threads 239 formed on a forward portion of outer wall 225. Whenbaffles 223 are assembled together, baffles 223 are rotated relative toeach other engage threads 237, 239 for retaining baffles 223 together.Baffles 223 are rotated relative to each other to move baffles 223toward each other, and this causes tapered surfaces 231, 233 to movetoward each other until they mate, forming tapered seal 235. Bythreadingly retaining baffles 223 to each other and providing a taperedseal 235 between outer walls 225, this configuration eliminates the needfor a tube to house baffles 223, though a tube can optionally be used.An advantage to a tubeless design is that the user can operate a firearmwith more or fewer baffles based on the application and desired effect.Though not shown, it should be understood that threaded end caps will beinstalled to terminate the baffle stack, providing for enclosed frontexpansion chambers and for a feature to couple baffles 223 to a firearm.Also, in another embodiment the location of threads 237, 239 on baffle223 can be reversed, so that external threads are formed at a rearwardportion of baffle 223 and internal threads are formed at a forwardportion of baffle 223.

FIG. 23 illustrates two baffles 241 assembled into a stack. Like bafflesdescribed above, each baffle 241 has an outer wall 243, a central cone245, and a chamber wall 247. Outer wall 225 of each baffle 223 has aforward tapered surface 249 and a rearward tapered surface 251, thetaper angles of surfaces 249, 251 being equal to allow for surfaces 249,251 to mate when baffles 241 are assembled, thereby forming a taperedseal 253 between outer walls 243 of adjacent baffles 241. In thisembodiment, cone 245 extends rearward from a rear portion of outer wall243, and chamber wall 247 extends rearward from a central portion ofcone 245. The outer end of chamber wall 247 has features like thosedescribed above for mating with features on inner surface 255 of outerwall 243 and forming a seal 257, thereby forming coaxial expansionchamber 259.

The firearm suppressor of this disclosure provides several significantadvantages, including: (1) providing central and coaxial expansionchambers; and (2) providing baffles and caps with tapered seals thatprevent or minimize the amount of gas escaping between baffles andeliminate the need for cap O-rings.

At least one embodiment is disclosed, and variations, combinations,and/or modifications of the embodiment(s) and/or features of theembodiment(s) made by a person having ordinary skill in the art arewithin the scope of the disclosure. Alternative embodiments that resultfrom combining, integrating, and/or omitting features of theembodiment(s) are also within the scope of the disclosure. Wherenumerical ranges or limitations are expressly stated, such expressranges or limitations should be understood to include iterative rangesor limitations of like magnitude falling within the expressly statedranges or limitations (e.g., from about 1 to about 10 includes, 2, 3, 4,etc.; greater than 0.10 includes 0.11, 0.12, 0.13, etc.). For example,whenever a numerical range with a lower limit, RI, and an upper limit,R_(u), is disclosed, any number falling within the range is specificallydisclosed. In particular, the following numbers within the range arespecifically disclosed: R=R_(l)+k*(R_(u)−R_(l)), wherein k is a variableranging from 1 percent to 100 percent with a 1 percent increment, i.e.,k is 1 percent, 2 percent, 3 percent, 4 percent, 5 percent, . . . 50percent, 51 percent, 52 percent, . . . , 95 percent, 96 percent, 95percent, 98 percent, 99 percent, or 100 percent. Moreover, any numericalrange defined by two R numbers as defined in the above is alsospecifically disclosed. Use of the term “optionally” with respect to anyelement of a claim means that the element is required, or alternatively,the element is not required, both alternatives being within the scope ofthe claim. Use of broader terms such as comprises, includes, and havingshould be understood to provide support for narrower terms such asconsisting of, consisting essentially of, and comprised substantiallyof. Accordingly, the scope of protection is not limited by thedescription set out above but is defined by the claims that follow, thatscope including all equivalents of the subject matter of the claims.Each and every claim is incorporated as further disclosure into thespecification and the claims are embodiment(s) of the present invention.Also, the phrases “at least one of A, B, and C” and “A and/or B and/orC” should each be interpreted to include only A, only B, only C, or anycombination of A, B, and C.

What is claimed is:
 1. A firearm suppressor for dissipating the energy of discharge gases expelled by a discharge of a firearm, the suppressor comprising: at least a first baffle and a second baffle, each baffle having a circumferential outer wall for enclosing an expansion chamber, the outer wall having a circumferential forward tapered surface and a circumferential rearward tapered surface, a taper angle of the forward tapered surface being equal to a taper angle of the rearward tapered surface; wherein the baffles are assembled together in a coaxial baffle stack with the first baffle forward of the second baffle, the forward tapered surface of the second baffle mating with the rearward tapered surface of the first baffle for forming a tapered seal between the outer walls of the baffles, thereby limiting flow of firearm discharge gases from within the baffle stack through the tapered seal.
 2. The firearm suppressor of claim 1, further comprising: a tube configured to be coupled to a firearm near a muzzle of the firearm, the baffles being located within the tube.
 3. The firearm suppressor of claim 1, further comprising: a tube configured to be coupled to a firearm near a muzzle of the firearm, the baffles being located within the tube, the tube having at least one open end configured to allow insertion and removal of the baffles; and an end cap for each open end, each end cap being configured to be removably attached to the open end, each end cap having a circumferential tapered surface configured to mate with one of the tapered surfaces of an adjacent baffle.
 4. The firearm suppressor of claim 1, wherein the outer wall of each baffle comprises internal threads and external threads, one of the threads of the first baffle engaging the other of the threads of the second baffle for retaining the baffles together in the stack.
 5. The firearm suppressor of claim 1, wherein for each baffle the forward tapered surface forms a forward end of the outer wall.
 6. The firearm suppressor of claim 1, wherein for each baffle the rearward tapered surface forms a rearward end of the outer wall.
 7. The firearm suppressor of claim 1, wherein for each baffle the forward tapered surface is rearward of a forward end of the outer wall.
 8. The firearm suppressor of claim 1, wherein for each baffle the rearward tapered surface is forward of a rearward end of the outer wall.
 9. The firearm suppressor of claim 1, further comprising: a second forward tapered surface, the forward tapered surfaces intersecting to form a V-shaped groove; and a second rearward tapered surface, the rearward tapered surfaces intersecting to form a V-shaped ring; wherein the groove of the second baffle receives the ring of the first baffle, each forward tapered surface mating with the corresponding rearward tapered surface, thereby forming two adjacent tapered seals between the outer walls of the baffles.
 10. The firearm suppressor of claim 1, further comprising: a second forward tapered surface, the forward tapered surfaces intersecting to form a V-shaped ring; and a second rearward tapered surface, the rearward tapered surfaces intersecting to form a V-shaped groove; wherein the groove of the first baffle receives the ring of the second baffle, each forward tapered surface mating with the corresponding rearward tapered surface, thereby forming two adjacent tapered seals between the outer walls of the baffles.
 11. A firearm suppressor for dissipating the energy of discharge gases expelled by a discharge of a firearm, the suppressor comprising: at least a first baffle and a second baffle, each baffle having a circumferential outer wall for enclosing an expansion chamber, the outer wall having a circumferential forward tapered surface and a circumferential rearward tapered surface, a taper angle of the forward tapered surface being equal to a taper angle of the rearward tapered surface; a tube configured to be coupled to a firearm near a muzzle of the firearm, the baffles being located within the tube, the tube having at least one open end configured to allow insertion and removal of the baffles; an end cap for each open end, each end cap being configured to be removably attached to the open end, each end cap having a circumferential tapered surface configured to mate with one of the tapered surfaces of an adjacent baffle; and wherein the baffles are assembled together in a coaxial baffle stack with the first baffle forward of the second baffle, the forward tapered surface of the second baffle mating with the rearward tapered surface of the first baffle for forming a tapered seal between the outer walls of the baffles, thereby limiting flow of firearm discharge gases from within the baffle stack through the tapered seal.
 12. The firearm suppressor of claim 11, wherein for each baffle the forward tapered surface forms a forward end of the outer wall.
 13. The firearm suppressor of claim 11, wherein for each baffle the rearward tapered surface forms a rearward end of the outer wall.
 14. The firearm suppressor of claim 11, wherein for each baffle the forward tapered surface is rearward of a forward end of the outer wall.
 15. The firearm suppressor of claim 11, wherein for each baffle the rearward tapered surface is forward of a rearward end of the outer wall.
 16. The firearm suppressor of claim 11, further comprising: a second forward tapered surface, the forward tapered surfaces intersecting to form a V-shaped groove; and a second rearward tapered surface, the rearward tapered surfaces intersecting to form a V-shaped ring; wherein the groove of the second baffle receives the ring of the first baffle, each forward tapered surface mating with the corresponding rearward tapered surface, thereby forming two adjacent tapered seals between the outer walls of the baffles.
 17. The firearm suppressor of claim 11, further comprising: a second forward tapered surface, the forward tapered surfaces intersecting to form a V-shaped ring; and a second rearward tapered surface, the rearward tapered surfaces intersecting to form a V-shaped groove; wherein the groove of the first baffle receives the ring of the second baffle, each forward tapered surface mating with the corresponding rearward tapered surface, thereby forming two adjacent tapered seals between the outer walls of the baffles.
 18. A baffle for a firearm suppressor, the baffle comprising: a central cone having a bore configured to allow a projectile to pass through the bore; and a circumferential outer wall, the outer wall having a circumferential forward tapered surface and a circumferential rearward tapered surface, a taper angle of the forward tapered surface being equal to a taper angle of the rearward tapered surface; wherein the cone and wall cooperate to define an expansion chamber.
 19. The baffle of claim 18, wherein the forward tapered surface is rearward of a forward end of the outer wall.
 20. The baffle of claim 18, wherein the rearward tapered surface is forward of a rearward end of the outer wall. 